Pencil-sharpener.



0,642,9l4;` .1. B. MITCHELL.

PENCIL SHARPENER.

(Applicaton file d Oct. 5, 1899.)

Patented Feb. 6, |900;

(No Model.)

PATNT OFFICE.

JOHN B. MITCHELL, Or PORTLAND,

MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'lO WILLIAM II. STEVENS, OF SAME PLACE.

PENCIL-s HARPENER.

Appncann and october 5, i399.

. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same. My invention relates to improvements in pencil Sharpeners. It is designed to resharpen pencils and toforrn a perfect point at the end.

In the drawings herewith accompanying and making a part of this application, Figure' l is a perspective view of my improved sharpener. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken lengthwise through the slots, the sharpener being in the position that it is when the sharpening process isfcompleted. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the Sharpener pushed back upon the pencil, a convenient position when not in use. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views showingsome of thedierent forms which the cutting edge, of the slots may as sume; and Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional View i of a pencil with sharpener in position, taken ing edges of the Sharpener.

on line X X of Fig. 2.

The same lettersof reference refer to like parts.

In said drawings, A represents a holder which may vary in form, adapted to receive the end of the pencil. Extending out longitudinally from said holder are similar springblades B, having slots C extending longitudinally therein, said slots having one or both of their edges sharpened to form the work- The blades are brought closely Vtogether at the ends, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the curvatures of the blades' being such that the outerapexes. of the slots come together, as shown in Fig. 2, the extremes of the. blades extending beyond the ends of the slots. These blades have iaor-l mallyyielding contact at their free ends.' The cutting edges may have any desirable' configuration'. ,Among many that might be used I have illustrated thl'ee-in Fig.' 4 a plain bevel,

5e in Fig. 5 a saW-toothedge, and in Fig. 6 a corrigated edgerbut I do not wish .to limit SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,914, dated February 6, `1900.

Serial No. 732.595. (No model.)

myself to the use ofany particular configuration ,of-the cutting edge. Theslots are tawill be sharpened whichever way it is turned in the Sharpener. If only one edge vin each slot is sharpened and the sharpened edges ened only when turned in one direction. I do not limit myself to the sharpeningof all substantially elliptical inform, the cutting of the taper in the wood 'of' the pencil Will be facilitated, the slots can be more readily cut in the blades, and the slots in thebladcs would not have to be so wide as would be necessary if they diverged throughout their whole extent. l

The Operation Of my improved pencil-sharpener is as follows: The end of the pencil, which is preferably rendered somewhat tapering before the pencil-Sharpener is applied, is inserted through the holder and forced forward until the point of'the pencil comes within the range of the cutting edges of the slots. -rlhe pencil is then rotated until the end is suiciently'sharpened. Toform the point on the end of the lead, the pencil is gradually pressed forward until the point of the pencil reaches the apex of the slots. The pencil being turned in the Sharpenerv forms a perfect point on the end of the pencil, the pitch of 'which will be determined by the angle formed by the separation of the two blades from the apex of the slots rearwardly toward the holder. rWhen the pencil is sharpened, the Sharpener may be removed entirely from the pencil, or it may be forced toward the Opposite end unr:til the point of the pencil projects somewhat beyond the ends ofthe blades, as seenin Fig.

resharpening or repointing, crit may, if desired, beremoved and placed on the other end of the pencil.

Theca'dvantages of my. sharpener are that the point isgc'ermed while being held throughout its entire length on opposite sfdes between yielding jaws or blades, a portion of the lead projecting between the sides of the slot, and thus preventing any strain 'which would tend in any wayto break are at opposite sides, the pencil will be sharp- Y where it may remain until the pencilneeds pered toward theirouter extremities. If both 'edges of the slots are sharpened, the pencil the edges ot' the slots When theslots are improved pencilthe lead. 'j :QItfis convenientto use and'si'mply and c heaplyconstructed. .It can be carried on the pencL-in a position to be readily and quickly applied, tli'us rendering it-possble to havent all times Without trouble or delay a 4perfect'point upon the pencil: It is adapted for-use onV ordinary lead-pencils, slate-pen- .ci1's,. dac.` The saw-tooth land corrugated ,gformsaare lespecially advantageous in ,the

sharpening of 'hard slate-pencils. important advantage of the form having several cutting edges, some cutting one way and lsome cutting theother, is that the pencil need have but .a partial rotation back and forth in the Sharpener, which makes an easier movement for the lingers. It is also free from all tendency to clog.

. Having thus described my improved pen cil-sharpener and its operation, I claim-- 1. In a pencilsharpenena suitable holder and 4yielding spring-blades projecting from said holder` at opposite sides thereof, said blades4 having longitudinally-exteuded slots .with'cutting edges tapering, toward the free ends of the blades.

2.Y In a pencil-Sharpener, a suitable holder, spring-blades projecting therefrom and lhav- :ing their free ends in yielding contact and slots in said blades extending from the'point of contact rearwardly toward the holder.L

3. In a pencil-Sharpener, a suitable holder and spring-blades extending outfrom the Another endfthereo, the free ends of the blades be-:

ing in contact and provided with 'substantially elliptical slotsI having sharp `cutting 4. `In .a penci1-sharpener,a suitable holder and spring-blades projecting therefrom, the free ends of the blades being normally in yielding contact, said blades having slots tapering.outward1y and terminating at the point Where contact of the blades normally begins, said slots having one or more cutting edges.

5. In va penciisharpener, a snitable holder adapted to receive and guide the-pencil, said holder having a spring-bladeprojeeting outwardly from the end'thereof'and inclined inwardly toward a line passing through the -center of the holder,` and a slot in the blade tapering outwardly toward the free end of the blade and terminating at a point coincident with said line passing through the center of the holder,'both edges of the slot adapted to contact withI the pencil dnring the process of sharpening. 4,

-In testimony whereof I affix rny signature, in presence of two Witnesses, this September, 1899. i

`Joli-IN B. MITCHELL.

Witnesses: .n

ELGJN4 C. VERRILL, WILLIAM HRSTEVENS.

14th day of 

